Numbers Game Read Free Page A

Richard Peak stepped forward with the Rating system.” Professor Bold glanced at the monitors and ran his hand over his head again. “While previous civilizations—and even the outlands today—have continually fought for order and peace, it is only we who have succeeded.”
    He paused, and the audience applauded politely. It was the same every year. If we didn’t read his cues, the speech would become unbearably long.
    “Peak’s Rating system solved the ultimate human problem: greed. As long as human beings think first of themselves as individuals, their society will fail every time. When we see ourselves as a thread in the tapestry of a nation, we find happiness as citizens and individuals. It is only through aligning ourselves to our ideals and striving for the very best that is within us that a society like ours can thrive. And thrive, we do.”
    More applause.
    “Right, like the Rating system took away greed,” Tali grumbled.
    “Shh,” I whispered.
    Bold continued. “Today we enjoy a society of peace, filled with citizens who contribute to the well-being of society cheerfully, peacefully, and productively; citizens who strive diligently for the Ratings that truly encompass them, their passions, and their potential. Citizens who follow the Standards of Excellence.” He paused as if about to recite the Standards, but he continued. “Today, as in past years, I certainly hope to see many strong greens created. And now we will watch as our graduating students receive their hard-earned and well-deserved Ratings.”
    The audience applauded. Taliyah and I looked at each other in relief. This speech was shorter than usual. A favorite topic of Bold’s was how it was the individual’s responsibility to earn their place in the family and society, how we weren’t worth the nutrition pills we consumed unless we contributed more than we took. It always reminded me of my stepdad, Konnor—addition and subtraction, contributions and mistakes.
    Professor Bold lifted his hand to touch his hair again but stopped in midair and thrust it into his pocket instead. “What do you say, students? Are you ready?”
    Louder applause. A twinge of nervousness fluttered in my stomach. Since our nation’s leader, the empress, was female, the guys would go first. Tradition and all. I just wanted to get my Rating and be done with it. Luckily, Dresden had already turned seventeen, making him one of the oldest, so he’d be close to the beginning of the list. My heart raced in my chest.
    “Let us begin.” Professor Bold reached for the first card.
    Taliyah suddenly glanced at me with a knowing smile, and I realized that I was gripping her leg. “Sorry.”
    “No worries.” She leaned over. “You have nothing to stress about, you know. There’s no way you guys won’t come within a hundred points of one another. You’re”—she batted her eyelashes and swatted a dainty hand dramatically—“ made for each other.”
    I bit back a smile. She couldn’t stand Dresden, but she knew exactly how to cheer me up.
    “Shh!” someone behind us whispered, and I noticed that the auditorium had become deathly silent.
    “Lile Demenger.”
    Lile stood and joined the professor, blinking in the spotlight. By the looks of his rust-colored hair, he’d tried to dye his black hair the appropriate shade of blond. Cheap dye, most likely. I fingered my own hair. I’d been dying it for so long I couldn’t even remember what my true color was.
    “Your score is . . .” Professor Bold read the card. “739. Congratulations.”
    Lile’s head bobbed as he accepted his card and stepped back. His parents stood in the crowd and applauded wildly. His score was probably higher than either of theirs.
    “Chan Norwell.”
    Chan hesitated before standing. When he joined the professor, he stared at the floor. He’d been in several of my classes, but I’d never heard the guy speak before.
    “Your score is . . .” Bold paused. “636. Congratulations.”
    The